ALNF x ORTC

In Collaboration with Cedric Varcoe and Debra Nangala McDonald

Indigenous Shorts

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Meet The Artists

Cedric Varcoe

Cedric Varcoe is a Ngarrindjeri Narrunga man born in Adelaide in 1984. Cedric has been painting since he was young man, constantly inspired by close family who painted on and with whatever they could find. Cedric’s work concentrates on the ancestral spirit, Ngurundjeri, creator of his people as well as the Ngarrindjeri.

We are thrilled to have worked with Cedric to create this piece of art and showcase it on an exclusive pair of ortc | swim shorts. This original piece ‘Ngarrindjeri Dreaming’ is inspired by the celebrated Indigenous dreamtime. The unique brushstrokes represent the waters and wildlife of the Korong.

We have been honoured to work collaboratively with Cedric Varcoe. His work is so unique, and we have always been big fans of his art. We even have some of his other original pieces hung with pride in our Norwood head office.

Debra Nangala McDonald

Debra Nangala McDonald is a Pintupi artist, born at Papunya in 1963. Following in her families footsteps, Debra and her family of artists inherits a strong line of stories related to their own family history. The family group settled in the small communities at Haasts Bluff, Papunya and Mt Liebig during the 1940’s.

The clan leader of this small group was Shorty Lungkata Tjungurrayi, who was Debra McDonald’s maternal grandfather. Shorty Lungkata became one of the most important artists at Papunya during the 1970’s and 1980’s. Most of the subject material of Debra’s paintings come from Shorty. Shorty and his clan were responsible for establishing the Papunya Tula art Co-operative in 1972 that is owned and operated by Aboriginal people from the Western Desert of Australia. The group is known for its innovative work with the Western Desert Art Movement, popularly referred to as "dot painting". Credited with bringing Aboriginal art to world attention, its artists inspired many other Australian Aboriginal artists and styles.

Here at ortc we have been honoured to work collaboratively with Debra. Her exclusive work named 'Bush Tucker Dreaming' takes inspiration from moments spent collecting food in the desert and the ancestral tracks the clan take along their journeys.

We are thrilled to have worked with Debra to create this piece of art and showcase it on an exclusive pair of
ortc | swim shorts.

Learn More About ALNF

In line with our release of these amazing Indigenous shorts we have partnered with The Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation in order to use our brand and business to give back to our Indigenous communities. 20% of Total sales revenue will be donated to the Foundation and dispersed at their discretion.

Ortc Clothing Co. have chosen to partner with the foundation to use their love for design and forever growing Australian inspired clothing label to help raise awareness for the ALNF and give back to those communities in need.

People who have difficulty reading and writing suffer from shame, poor self-esteem and negative life experiences. They also lack access too many opportunities that most of us take for granted. ALNF exists to help people by raising literacy levels in Australia's most marginalised communities. Through six core programs and a number of one-off community projects, ALNF provides funding, training, support and resources to individuals, families and schools.

As a progressive Clothing company we admire the ALNF’s innovation. The Living First Language platform in which helps to preserve and revitalise Indigenous First Languages and turns them into dynamic, community-led and interactive digital literacy apps is an ingenious solution to efficiently and effectively capture and share language and literacy skills.

At ortc we could not wait to be a part of this movement and assist in sharing the impact and raising awareness of this unique initiative. ortc Clothing Co with the help of our amazing customers and stockists hope to shine a light on the preservation of language, and that this contemporary platform serves to strengthen communities, bridge cultural divides, foster resilience, encourage literacy and put First Language back into Indigenous community member’ hands.

We have a newfound understanding that in Australia, First Languages are disappearing at a faster rate (specifically having recently worked closely with Debra and Cedric) despite the fact that language, literacy and numeracy plays a vital role in the health, wellbeing, education and future of Indigenous peoples. So, whilst partnering with the ALNF we hope to shed more light on the importance of preserving and fostering Indigenous languages in Australia and beyond, as well as give back to the foundation who persists daily to do just that.

All ortc | swim X ALNF shorts will be clearly labelled to ensure our customers have access to all the information about the incredible artists and foundation.

Found out more at alnf.org

Products

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ALNF x ORTC

In Collaboration with Cedric Varcoe and Debra Nangala McDonald

Indigenous Shorts

Meet The Artists